by Rick Huffman
Greetings, Upstate SCNPS members and enthusiasts,
I’m so excited to share with you highlights from recent successes, events, and activities.
Spring has sprung and so has our chapter’s leadership! Throughout the Upstate, our leaders are advancing our mission, growing our membership, and serving as a voice for native plants. They’re organizing successful plant sales, bringing in great speakers at our programs, hosting quarterly socials at Southern Side Brewery in Greenville, leading field trips, expanding our outreach at tabling events, and speaking to community groups.
Blockbuster Plant Sale
Our Plant Sale volunteer team and Upstate Native Nursery (UNN) team have coordinated their efforts and worked tirelessly, from growing and producing a high-quality, diverse group of native plants to organizing and managing the sale!
The day of the sale, April 18th, was spectacular. The volunteers and leadership led by Chris Vincoli set up a beautiful, well-organized sale at Conestee Stadium. Folks commented on the well-oiled operation. People had fun, we educated the public, and we fulfilled our mission.
The quality and diversity of the plants we offered explains why gardeners drive from miles away to shop our sale. We’re one of the best native plant sources in the region – a reputation made possible by the work of so many, notably Chuck Hubbuch, our Master Propagator and Greenhouse Manager and Assistant Manager Cathy McCurdy whose dedication and knowledge have grown the UNN into an extraordinary resource for our chapter and community. And hats off to our plant sale heroes Miller and Kitty Putman who have hosted the UNN on their land and supported our horticultural program in countless ways over the years.
The hours and dedication put in by so many plant sale volunteers in so many capacities is impressive. Bravo, well done, and huge thanks!
Reach Out and Educate
Our upstate chapter leadership and committees keep our calendar full with programming, education, and outreach events.
Socials at Southern Side Brewery are attracting folks to our mission and giving us a presence in the community.
Ryan Merck continues to serve our chapter with his strong horticultural background and organizing skills. He’s bringing in great speakers monthly and leading our greenhouse location efforts.
Our Outreach Team under the leadership of Ellen Haynes, continues to develop opportunities to expand our message. Her personal effort to put on the Native Plant Jubilee in Liberty was exceptional, well attended, with speakers and vendors.
Our Upstate Happenings newsletter team is producing relevant educational content and updates, while our media team is keeping our social media presence up to date and getting out our hot-list information regarding conservation.
Advancing Advocacy and Strategy
Emily Poole is leading our advocacy work and networking to address places where native plants and our ecosystem are threatened – for example, scrap yards, RV camps in Spartanburg, data centers, gas plants, waterways, and urban sprawl development.
Our strategic work encourages the growth of native plant populations by exploring statewide co-ops to grow plants for seed increase and markets. We have been active in forming the SENSN (Southeast Native Seed Network) with nine other states. We’re partnering on this work Martin Hamilton at the South Carolina Botanical Gardens.
Growing Chapter Leadership
Nia Thomas, our chapter vice president, is working to fill roles and bring fresh ideas. Her leadership is growing, and exciting things are ahead, such as new field trips and tapping new leaders and volunteers for roles that will strengthen our chapter. Nia is also working on the greenhouse relocation efforts that will lay the foundation for future growth and expanded impact.
Networking continues to explore a satellite chapter in Pickens, Oconee, and Anderson County. Stay tuned. We are growing.
A Whirlwind Season through Upcountry and Low Country
As President, I had an incredibly busy month. It began with a Field Trip for the Greenville Garden to Boggs Rock, a granitic outcrop in Liberty, and to Glassy Mountain in Pickens, South Carolina.
Next, I had the honor of speaking to the Low Country Chapter, celebrating 30 years, and highlighting Advocacy statewide, along with a review of the state’s newest and only linear park, Black River State Park.
I toured native nurseries, spent a day revisiting the Francis Marion Forest with Low Country native plant icon Jeff Jackson. Amazing day! The forest and management practices with fire were impressive. It was gratifying to know that the dedicated efforts by SCNPS folks like John Brubaker led legal efforts to ensure proper management. Proud of our work. Our history of conservation is everywhere.
I also led a field trip for the chapter to the Audubon Center at Beidler Forest and the Four Holes Swamp. This ancient place has a thousand-year-old bald cypress, green fly orchids, and prothonotary warblers. It was a spectacular day, a well-attended event. Lots of enthusiasm for native plants and natural places.
I attended the Saluda River Basin Council Meeting and the SENSN (Southeast Native Seed Network) meetings online. It was an honor to attend the Upstate Forever luncheon.
I was the lunch speaker and hosted our outreach table at the Save Our Saluda Streambank event at Pleasant Ridge County Park. I spoke at the First Baptist Church luncheon and the Native Plant Jubilee in Liberty. We also supported South Carolina’s native American tribes by attending the Pow Wow in Pickens. Yes, a busy month!
It’s been quite a spring kick-off in so many ways, as the weather warmed, so did our activities. I’m always grateful for the privilege to represent our Chapter and our organization.
Thank you for being a partner in our mission: Protect, Preserve, Educate, and Advocate!
Rick Huffman
Upstate Chapter President
